A new year has come. We must stop irresponsible behaviors of the Abe administration. We have to sustain democracy in the political and social life to assure the human rights and to accomplish peace and justice in Okinawa. The scheduled election for the Upper House, in particular, is crucial as an opportunity to destabilize the 2/3 majority in the House composed of the leading bloc, the Liberal Democratic Party and the Komeito. Mass movements to defend the constitution are vital. We cannot but overcome the government’s campaigns.

LET’S WIN IN ELECTIONS! LET’S DEFEND CONSTITUTION!

Negligence of people’s hopes by the Abe government is demonstrated clearly in the issues of the Henoko of Okinawa, the work-style reform, the revision of the Immigration Act, the market orientation of public services, and etc. The government compels people to be obedient. These policies indicate a coming society in which the constitution should be amended for worse.

The same is true, when looking at public services in general and tax resources. The government has told lies to justify the consumption tax surges, explaining that the measure is to guarantee social services. This tax is characterized by a counter-progressive nature. Meanwhile, tax money is spent on filling gaps left by the reduced taxes to benefit big businesses and the rich and flows into the unlimited military build-up expenditure.

The outcomes show us a fact that the post-war constitutional system has been eroded away. Justification cannot work in an excuse that mass movements to defend the constitution have been defeated. If the Abe government wins in the coming elections, it will run straight toward constitution amendment. We must not expect winner’s generosity of the government which disregards people’s hopes.

Let’s focus on consumption tax in elections!

The government is planned to heighten the consumption tax to 10% in October. After the tax surge from 5% to 8%, people declined purchasing power, which has aroused suspicions in the so-called Abenomics economic policy. Our history has shown a government loses in the elections, if it involves in the consumption tax. The Abe government knows that.

Under these circumstances the government manages to mitigate negative impacts that will emerge at the time of surge. If the ruling bloc loses in the elections, its resolve to change the constitution will come to a deadlock. They may prepare for simultaneous elections for both of the Houses in order to win, mobilizing all capabilities.

Municipal elections are scheduled in April before the Upper House election in July. The New Socialist Party is ready for the local elections. Unless the April elections produce good results to prove a changing trend, the electorate will abandon hopes while the Abe government will be confident. If people give up recovering politics for their own, fascism will prevail in the country.

Government imposes ‘self-responsibility’ – No more!

Elections reflect activities on the daily basis. Working people are deprived of the human rights. Pensions are insufficient to lead an ordinary life. The elderly over 70 years of age pay 20% of the actual medical treatment costs. This scheme will be applied to those older than 75 years old. As for the elderly care program, users will be obliged to owe 20% of actual costs.

Children wait for in the queue vacancy for nursing schools and after-school nursing facilities. Students suffer from the scholarship schemes, which are equal to students’ loans, as well as expensive tuition fees. The government promotes free trade practices that destroy agriculture, forestry and fisheries, which, representing major local industries, protect natural environment and preserve safety of our land. The Abe government clings to development of nuclear power generation and tries to stop helping victims and evacuees of the disaster to conceal serious consequences at Fukushima plants.

We must show these facts to people in every occasion so that they could pay attention to the issues. We must emphasize united struggles of the constitutional opposition parties and citizens in the elections as the counter-government forces are split in disarray. Mass movements are imperative so that the government is enforced to realize that politics does not work without people.

Let’s win in the elections!

We need stable employment conditions in which we can work with confidence. We need public service programs in which we can live without anxieties. Let’s fight in the elections, dedicating full strength.

January 1, 2019